36ers take down JackJumpers

A final quarter masterclass from Antonius Cleveland has sparked the 36ers’ 93-82 win against Tasmania JackJumpers at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Monday night.

Cleveland scored 12 of his game-high 20 points to go with 10 rebounds in the final quarter as Adelaide fought back from a six-point deficit with seven minutes remaining.

The swingman started where he left off on Saturday night, scoring eight quick points as Adelaide opened an early 10-2 lead.

Tasmania fought back into the contest almost straight away sparked by captain Clint Steindl, as the JackJumpers reduced the margin to 18-15.

The 36ers continued their quick transition game as both sides ran the floor at a frantic pace, Adelaide finding their way to free throw line late in the quarter to take a 29-22 lead into the first break.

Kai Sotto, who started a second straight game, brought the crowd to life with a massive block to start the second quarter as Adelaide built their lead to double figures.

But, the JackJumpers roared back into the match, going on a 9-0 run as Tasmania attacked the basket to cut the margin to 33-31 and when Josh Magette scored in the lane, the visitors had the lead 38-37.

Adelaide’s offense slowed, Milton Doyle scored 10 first half points and the JackJumpers took a 44-41 lead into the main break.

Robert Franks (11 points, five rebounds) connected on a tough three-pointer to start third quarter, then captain Mitch McCarron scored a layup on the break to give Adelaide the lead back.

Sotto brought the home crowd to life with a three-pointer, post move and sweet pass to Sunday Dech gave Adelaide a 54-48 lead.

Doyle continued his great night and Magette started to get going, finding Isaac White for a three-pointer as Tasmania went on a 13-2 run to open up a 61-56 lead.

White scored again to give the visitors a 63-56, but and Anthony Drmic three-pointer and an athletic three-point play from Nick Marshall sparked the 36ers late in the third quarter, his pinpoint pass to Dech levelling the scores at 66-66 with 10 minutes to go.

Tasmania hit their straps early in the fourth quarter, Sean Macdonald connecting on a three-pointer to give the JackJumpers a 75-69 lead.

But Cleveland then hit back-to-back triples to tie the game, then the swingman stole the ball to give Adelaide back the lead.

The Cleveland show continued as the crowd of 7010 roared to life to carry the home side in the final frantic minutes.

Drmic, who had 16 points, was everywhere at both ends of the court and really sparked Adelaide when the 36ers needed a lift throughout the contest.

A McCarron steal to find Dech (12 points) on the break gave Adelaide an eight-point lead and an eighth win of the NBL23 season.

ADELAIDE 36ERS 93 (Cleveland 20, Drmic 16, Dech 12) def TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 82 (Doyle 18, Magette 13, White 12) at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.  

BOX SCORE